The Ultimate Back Hair Removal Guide. You may want to keep that new mustache or beard you grew out since you (or others) are digging it — or you want to test it out to see how it fairs in the winter season. Good facial hair game can go a long way, but no one (or at least very few people) would say the same about back hair.

Body hair is natural and everywhere, and there’s no reason to be ashamed about it. However, if you’re starting to sprout hair on your back and don’t like it, or you have been thinking about trimming or getting rid of it for a while, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t look into how you can get rid of it. To help you figure out what to do next, we got in touch with various grooming pros to help you decide if you want to take care of the back hair at home or get it waxed off, as well as what to keep in mind if you are thinking of seeing a laser hair removal expert.

Getting Rid of Back Hair Yourself (Plus Tips + Tools to Use):

In case you’re feeling cautious about removing your back and shoulder hair yourself, we chatted with grooming industry expert and the founder of Anthony Brands, Anthony Sosnick, to help you on your manscapingjourney. The stigma on men’s personal grooming for situations such as removing back hair has gone down significantly, Sosnick shares. “Even In the past five years we are seeing more and more men looking for solutions to remove back hair. The idea of looking younger and taking better care of yourself keeps on growing and is gaining momentum in every area of grooming.”

Before we get into the tools you’ll need, remember the following steps to shaving before you go ahead and remove your back hair: cleanse, exfoliate, shave and moisturize. When removing hair on the back, these are some of the tools and tips to keep in mind, provided by Sosnick:

Only use a non-foaming shave cream or gel. As back hair is usually thicker, you need to use a cream or gel that will allow the blade to target the base of the hairs. I recommend Anthony Shave Gel.

A new, sharp razor is a must. Use a razor with a pivoting head for a smooth, close shave.

Trim it down. If you’ve never shaved, or it has been some time, it’s good to get rid of as much length as possible. Place a comb flat on the skin and trim over the comb with scissors or the easier and much quicker way is to use clippers with the shortest guard (this may require the help of a friend).

Rinse off. The warm water will get rid of the excess cut hair and soften both your hair and skin. This allows for a better, closer shave.

Exfoliate. By removing dead skin cells you will get closer results and minimize ingrown hair. Gently use a mild body scrub like Anthony Blue Sea Kelp Body Scrub or a wet loofah and rinse completely.

Pre-shave oil does a world of good. You only need enough to lightly coat the skin. Use it underneath your cream or gel to create a barrier on your skin. This helps the razor glide instead of drag and minimizes razor burn. The Anthony Pre-Shave Oil boasts Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary oils and Vitamin E and healing Calendula to moisturize and fight ingrown hairs — a common problem after shaving thicker hair like those found on the back.

Apply shave cream or gel. Apply the cream or gel over damp skin. If you have a shaving brush, you can apply it using small circles to lift the hairs.

Shave. Use a firm touch in the same direction of hair growth. Don’t go over the same area too many times or skin can end up irritated. Keep the skin somewhat taut while shaving.

Rinse. In between strokes, be sure to rinse the blade thoroughly. A clogged razor won’t cut well.

Dry off. Pat skin dry with a soft towel and apply a moisturizer that has healing properties. If you plan on going out in the sun, wait some time (about a day) after shaving and be sure to apply sun block.

Fight bumps and burn. Apply something that will help keep ingrown hair, razor bumps and irritation away. A product like The Cool Fix will work wonders. If you don’t use a bump-fighting product, be sure to exfoliate regularly.

Selecting a Razor and More Shaving Tips:

When it comes to selecting a razor, Sosnick says the most important thing is to try to find one that can pivot (not essential) with clean, sharp blades. For more on the shaving portion of getting rid of back hair, we chatted with Hugo, a master barber from The Art of Shaving.